“And the Prince of Wales’ army?”
“Not as many.”
Ellowyn thought on that a moment, sickening realization flooding her. “Dear God,” she whispered, pressing a hand to her forehead in a weary and disillusioned gesture. “They are outnumbered.”
Standing beside her, Annabeth and Bridget could only think of their respective loves, Dylan and Brennan. Just like their mistress, they were fighting off a horrid sense of dread. As Ellowyn hung her head in sorrow, Annabeth addressed the messenger.
“Had the battle started when you left?” she asked. “How long ago was that?”
The messenger looked to the lovely brunette. “The battle had not yet started but the lines were drawn, my lady,” he replied. “I left six days ago. I am sure much has happened since then.”
Ellowyn couldn’t shake the anxiety. The more she tried, the more it clung to her. All she could think about was her husband and his fate.That dream! That horrible, horrible dream came crashing down on her and her apprehension exploded. She had no idea why she should suddenly think of that dream she hadn’t had in weeks, but it loomed heavy in her mind nonetheless. She couldn’t stop herself.
“Tell me,” she said, her voice quivering. “Is the weather poor?”
The messenger nodded. “Raining, my lady, the likes of which I have never seen. It has turned everything into a sea of mud.”
Mud!As in her dream, everything had turned to mud, mud so deep and thick that it was nearly impossible to penetrate.
“And… and the field?” she forced herself to ask. “Where is the field where they are fighting?”
The messenger shrugged. “All around Poitiers and Chavigny,” he said. “The lines move as one side overwhelms another.”
“Is there a castle nearby?”
The messenger thought a moment. “Jaudres Castle is near the lines, my lady,” he said. “It is a big beast of a castle, impenetrable. There was already fighting around it when I left.”
A castle. Mud. Rain. It was her dream come to life. Something inside was screaming at her, telling her that she had to go there. Already, she was feeling the same panic and anxiety that she felt whenever she had the dream, telling her that she had to find Brandt. It was an overwhelming sensation, something she could not control. She’d had the dream for months, a premonition of things to come, and she would not ignore it. She had to go to him, like a moth to a flame, the lure was just too great. She couldn’t sit back and ignore the dream, the messages she had been given.She had to go!
“I am going to Poitiers,” she said, bolting to her feet. As those around her gasped in shock and horror, she pointed to the messenger. “What is your name?”
The messenger was taken aback. “Sully, my lady.”
“You will take me there, Sully,” she commanded. Already, she was on the move. “Annabeth, Bridget, you will remain here. I must go to my husband.”
They were all following her out of the room, protests seeping from their lips. “My lady!” Annabeth gasped. “You cannot go! You are putting yourself in terrible danger!”
Ellowyn turned to her. “I understand,” she said patiently, “but Brandt is in danger. Mayhap he is even dying. Please do not ask me how I know this, but I do. I swear that I do. You must let me go to him.”
Annabeth’s mouth popped open in horror and she turned to Bridget for support. Bridget was deeply concerned.
“My lady, please,” she begged. “It is pure madness to want to go to Poitiers now. There is death and battle everywhere. You will be killed!”
Ellowyn shook her head. “I will not be killed,” she assured her. “Please understand me. I must go to my husband and I will risk my life to do it. If anyone gets in my way, I will run them down and if anyone tries to stop me, I will kill them. I must go to my husbandnow.”
Annabeth was in tears at this point. They were all following Ellowyn out into the entry hall, voices of reason pleading with a very determined lady. It was chaotic as the servants took up the call and shouts of the duke’s death began to fly. No one understood why Lady de Russe was so agitated but there could only be one explanation.
There was one voice, however, that was not pleading with Ellowyn to reconsider. Rosalind had followed her out into the entry along with the group, listening to the protests.
“My lady,” she said. “I know that area well. My mother had relatives near Chavigny and we would travel there often. I will go with you and help you find my father.”
Above the objections, Ellowyn gazed into Rosalind’s face, seeing that she was indeed sincere. She was also showing her father’s strength, something that impressed Ellowyn. She knew she should deny her but it was difficult.
“I appreciate your offer, but Sully will escort me,” she said. “You cannot put yourself in such danger.”
Rosalind cocked her head and Ellowyn could see Brandt in that gesture. “I know the area better than he does,” she said. “If you are looking for my father, I will be able to help you find him better than a messenger. I know every possible place to look, and I will know where to hide. You must take me.”
Ellowyn gazed steadily at the young woman. There was truth in what she said, but still, she shook her head.
